Ensuring people have the space and support to pursue a healthy lifestyle is essential. The Public Health Accelerator Bids (PHAB) are helping to fund new projects that will achieve this.
The Public Health Accelerator Bids is an important programme that sits within the Essex Public Health team. Plans set out by the Essex Public Health team aim to meet growing health and wellbeing challenges by focusing on the community sector and understanding the needs of those most at risk and in need of help.
Across Essex, the PHAB grants will strive to make a difference to lives of many vulnerable residents over the coming 3 year period. The programmes that will be funded and supported will align with the sector wide aim of closing health inequalities in the county.
The major grants supporting larger projects are innovative and effective as they engage residents using knowledge of how activity is a key strategy in improving mental and physical health. The projects help showcase the vitality of health as a component of social mobility also. Achieving this at an individual and community level is essential for bringing residents together whilst they boost their activity levels.
One project that has been funded through a major grant is the successful gamification programme; Beat The Street. Maldon will become the latest location to host the Beat the Street initiative, and joins communities in Chelmsford and Harwich. Beat the Street is an evidence-based behaviour change programme that seeks to boost the health and wellbeing of the residents involved.
Beat the Street Maldon game will take place in Summer 2024 and aims to engage over 5,000 residents into the game. Gamification and the process of engaging people in physical activity through a competition is an amazing technique in allowing residents to find the joy in moving. Not only this but the competitive element makes the physical act of moving easier because there is an aim and purpose.
In Tendring, the Wellbeing and Intervention Services have received funding that will allow them to deliver therapy for everyone in need of support. Through funding, services will be available to residents in Tendring through a team dedicated to driving change and boosting positive mental health.
Tailored therapy will be paired with physical activity solutions to support marginalised communities that will reduce the health inequalities faced by said groups in Tendring. For example, a Men’s Weekly Walk and Talk has emerged from this project which provides these men with the opportunity to express their feelings and emotions whilst increasing their movement through walking. Walking in fresh air can improve one’s mental health but the chance to start conversations about any worries or anxieties will reduce stress.
Emma Gunner, Project Manager said
“The PHAB major grants programme has already supported a number of unique and innovative public health projects based across Essex, which are aiming to address some of the health inequalities which exist in the county. We have been hugely impressed by ambition of the projects to receive funding and we are really looking forward to seeing the difference they make in our communities. “
These projects provide only a glimpse of projects that have been funded. The place based approach that has been adopted by this programme will adequately address healthy inequalities, as the needs of the communities are at the forefront of interventions. Whilst also, placing the community at the heart of the approach to increase activity and positive wellbeing.
Find out more here: https://www.activeessex.org/health-wellbeing/public-health-accelerator-bid/
